As Bharata was again speaking in this strain, his graceful elder
brother, having been highly honored, answered Bharata in the midst of
his relatives, saying, "Having been born as a son unto
Dacaratha--foremost of monarchs--by Kaikeyi, this speech of thine is
worthy of thee. O brother, formerly when our father espoused the hand of
thy mother, he promised her the kingdom as her marriage portion. Then on
the occasion of the war between the gods and the Asuras, that master,
the king, well pleased (with her), being besought, granted her a boon.
Having been thus promised, that virtuous lady, thy illustrious mother, O
foremost of men, asked for two boons (of the king),--viz., thy
enthronement, O best of men, and my banishment Thus besought by her, the
king conferred on her the boon. And, thou foremost of men, I have been
enjoined by my sire to stay in the woods for fourteen years, in
consequence of his having granted her the boon. And, having, in company
with Lakshmana and Sita, come to the lone forest, I in humble guise am
staying in the truthful speech of my father. Thou too, thou foremost of
kings, shouldst in the same way speedily render our father truthful, by
getting thyself installed. O Bharata, for my sake, do thou free that
lord, the king, from his debts. Do thou, O thou cognizant of morality,
deliver our father and gladden thy mother. O child, we hear that in
Gaya, formerly the famous Gaya, engaged in a sacrifice, chaunted this
Vaidika hymn, for pleasing his departed an- cestors : 'Since a son
delivereth his sire from the hell named _Put_, a son goeth by the
appellation of _putra_, he protecting his (departed) ancestors in every
way. One should wish for many sons crowned with qualities and versed in
various lore, for the chance is that one at least of these may repair to
Gaya.' O son of the Raghu race, the Rajarshis have delivered their
decision on the point. Therefore, thou foremost of men, do thou, O lord,
rescue thy sire from hell. O Bharata, go to Ayodhya, and please the
subjects, in company with Satrughna, O hero, and all the regenerate
ones. I also, O hero, without delay shall have to enter the forest of
Dandaka in company with Lakshmana and Sita. O Bharata, be thou thyself
the monarch of men, I shall become the king of kings of deer. Go thou to
that foremost of. cities with a glad heart: with a glad heart will I
enter Dandaka. O Bharata, let the umbrella barring out the rays of the
sun, afford cool shade unto thy head: I shall happily seek the dense
shade of these forest trees. Satrughna endued with cleverness is thy
helper: Sumitra's son is well known as my best friend. We four worthy
sons of that foremost of monarchs will keep him established in truth, O
Bharata. Let not thy mind despond."